Plural alternating siphon.



15.857.355 n 'PATENTE-D JUNE 1s, 1907.`

s. W', MILLER. PLURAL ALTBRNATING SIPHON.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 16,-1906. 2SEETS SHBET L me NaRRls Pin-R usein connection with a system for the septic 2. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section, taken on Areceive the sewageas it flows from the septic tank and properly distribute the same to `Patent No. 709,233, granted September 16th,

PATENT OFFICE.

SIDNEY W.KVMILLER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PLURAL ALTERNATING SIPHON.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 18, 1907.

Application filed November 16, 1996. Serial No. 343,748.

Be it known that I, SIDNEY W. MILLER, a citizen of the United States, of Chicago, in i the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Plural Alternating Siphons, (Case C5) and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of `reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in siphonic apparatus designed for controlling the intermittent How of liquid from a main or dosing tank to a pluralityT of tanks or receptacles, and so arranged that said plurality of receptacles may be filled or charged in a predetermined rotative order from said main or dosing tank.

My improved apparatus is applicable for treatment of sewage for purifying the same, said apparatus in this use thereof being adapted to be located between. a septic tank and the Contact or filter beds of the system to the contact or filter beds.

My invention relates more particularly toy that type of such controlling apparatus as is shown in my prior United States Letters 1902, wherein the siphons, which operate alternately in a predetermined order to empty the tank, are forced or set in operation, each in its proper order, by air pressure transmitted thereto during the filling of the tank.

Among the objects of the invention is rto simplify the construction of such apparatus, to reduce its cost of maintenance and to improve the operation thereof.

As shown in the drawings z-Figure l is a plan view of a portion of the main distributing tank, showing in plan view the arrangement of the siphons and equipment therefor for discharging the contents of the tank. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof taken in the plane of the siphons, with parts broken away. Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken in a plane at right angles to that of Fig.

line 4---4 of Fig. Fig. 5 is a detail of one of the adjustable blow-off traps.

As shown in the drawings, A designates a tank which may be termed a main distributthe upper part of a body A2 of cement in which the deep seal traps of the siphons are embedded. The liquid contents of said tank are emptied throu h the medium of a plurality of automatical y operating siphons B Bl B2 and B3, there being any number of siphons required for handling the product of the plant. The siphons are herein shown as located in a row near one wall of the tank, but may be otherwise disposed. The intake leg t of each siphon consists of a downwardly opening bell which is supported over the upper end of the outlet leg b1 thereof in any suitable manner. Said outlet leg of each siphon communicates with a deep seal trap b2 having an upturned leg b3 which empties into a pipeor conduit C leading to a suitable place for the disposal of the liquid discharged from the tank. Each siphon is equipped with the usual vent pipe B4 which operates in a well known manner to vent the siphon after it has 'operated to empty the tank. Located in said tank in rear of the siphons is a series of upwardly openingchambers or wells D D1 D2 D2, one for each siphon, and said chambers are operatively associated with the siphons. l

in the manner hereinafter to be described. Said chambers are located in the tank and are filled by the liquid which fills the tank. As herein'shown, the iioor of the tank constitutes the floors of said chambers, but this relation of the parts will depend upon the sealing level of the siphons in the tank. Contained within each chamber or well D to D3, inclusive, is a downwardly opening bellshaped receptacle E, supported therein in any suitablemanner, not necessary here tobe shown. Said bells are made of less diameter than the chambers and are connected with the blow-off traps of the siphons by pipes E1, whereby, when liquid enters said chambers and rises above the bottoms of the bells, pressure due to the liquid head above said bells is transmitted through said pipes E1 Vto the blow-off traps of the siphons in a manner to force said traps and set the siphons in operation, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

Each siphon communicates with its associated chamber D to D3 through the medium of a siphon F, the intake leg f of which eX- tends downwardly into the associated cham- IOO IIO

ber through the open top thereof, and the outlet leg f1 of which communicates by a pipe f2 with the outlet leg of the Siphon, or other suitablespace for disposal of liquid flowinor through the Siphon F. The function of sai Siphon F is to empty each chamber through its associated Siphon at the time the Siphon is in operation to empty the tank A, as will more fully hereinafter appear. Each of said siphons B to B3, inclusive, is equipped with a blow-O trap comprising an upwardly opening, vertical leg G extending upwardly into the bell or intake leo of the Siphon, an outer vertical le(T G1 outside the bell, connected with the said leg G by a transverse connection g and open at its upper end to the atmosphere, as herein shown. Each blowoff trap is drained, at times when liquid overflows the outer leg thereof, through the medium of a drain pipe H that discharges outside the tank, as into the outlet leg of the' deep seal trap of the associated Siphon. The

pressure transmitting pipes of the starting bells are connected with the outer legs G1 of said blow-off traps near the lower ends of the traps said pressure transmitting pipes extending upwardly from the starting bells and thence horizontally and terminatin in downturned portions E2 which communicate with the blow-ofil traps in the manner stated. The two vertical legsof each blow-off tra taken in connection with the down-turne end E2 of the associated pressure transmitted pipe, which latter pipe is generally parallel with the legs of the blow-off trap, constitute what may be termed a W-trap, the function of which will hereinafter appear.

The starting bell E of each chamber D to D3, inclusive, is connected by its pipe E1 with the blow-off trap of a main Siphon next in advance (considered with respect to the rotative order of operation of the siphons) of the main Siphon into which the contents of the chamber associated with Such bell is emptied through one of the Siphons F. Thus the starting bell of the chamber D communicating with the blow-off trap of Siphon B1; the bell of chamber D1 communicating with the blow-ofi:` trap of Siphon B2 and so on to the end of the series. In an arrangement where the siphons are disposed in a row, as herein shown, the bell of the last chamber of the series D3 is connected 'with the blow-off trap of thejb1ow-off trap of the Siphon next to be brought into operation.

The operation of the apparatus thus disclosed may be briefly stated as follows: The deep seal traps, as well as the blow-off traps, are filled with liquid prior to the filling of the tank A, and all but one of the chambers D are likewise filled. If it be assumed that chambers D D1 and D2 be filled with liquid and chamber D3 be empty, the operation of the apparatus will be as follows: Liquid flows into the tank through the inlet openings A1, and after the tank has been filled to the level of the tops of the chambers D to D3 the liquid overflows into and fills the empty chamber D3. During the filling of said chamber D3 and the continued rise of liquid in the tank, the liquid rises around and into the lower end of the bell therein, thus displacing the air and causing air pressure to be transmitted through its pipe E1 to the blow-off trap of Siphon B, in this instance, or the Siphon next to be brought into operation. It may be observed in passing that, in the construction herein shown, the upper ends of the chambers are located at or below the sealing and venting levels of the siphons, thereby insuring that the intake legs of the siphons F are submerged by the liquid in the chambers, and, therefore, sealed, at or before the time the outer legs of the vent pipes B1 are sealed. Thus passage of air from the Siphons through said siphons F is cut-off. In constructions where the sealing level of the Siphon is below the tops of the chambers, it is necessary to provide means for sealing the limbs of the chamber emptying siphons, which may be accomplished in the manner shown in my said prior United States Letters Patent No. 7 09,233. By reason of the fact that all the chambers, save chamber D3, and the starting bells therein, are already filled with liquid, little effective pressure is transmitted through the pipes E1 associated with the filled cham bers, as the liquid rises above said chambers. During the filling of the empty chamber, however, the air in its bell is imprisoned so that the liquid head exerted on the air in the last mentioned bell and its pressure transmitting pipe is superior to that exerted on the air in the other transmitting pipes and in the main siphons. Therefore, the main siphon associated with the bell within the chamber last filled is brought into action. During the time the Siphon B is operating to empty the tank, the chamber D associated therewith is emptied through the connecting Siphon F to a level below the Sealing level of the starting bell E therein. After the tank is thus emptied, the chambers D1 D2 and D3 remain filled while the chamber D is empty. During the next filling of the tank the flow of liquid into said chamber'D operates through the starting bell E and pipe E1, connected with the blow-off trap of Siphon B1, to bring IOO IIO

traps and their operation in connection withthe bells E and pressure transmitting pipes E1, E2, it will be noted that the air spaces in said pipes E1 and bells are of considerably less area than that of themain siphons, whereby the liquid rises more slowly in the said bells when the tank is filling, after-the bells have been sealed, than in the shorter legs of the main siphons. Thus the liquid heads acting on the columns of air in the bells and pressure transmitting pipes becomes progressively greater than the heads acting on the bodies of imprisoned air in the .main siphons. It will be observed, furthermore, that the intake legs G of the blow-off traps are larger than the outlet legs thereof, sothat a given depression of the liquid columns in said intake legs results in a correspondingly greater rise of the liquid in the outlet legs of said blow-off traps. Notwithstanding the different pressures acting on the liquid columns in said pipes G and E2, therefore the tendency of such pressures is to depress the liquid in said pipes and correspondingly raise the liquid in the outlet legs G1 of the blow-off traps. The rise of the liquid in the latter legs of the blow-off traps continues until it reaches the levels of the drain-pipes H which limits the height of the columns in said outlet legs of the blow-off traps. The seals of the blow-off traps are, therefore, fixed by the distance between the transverse connecting pipes g of the blow-o traps and the receiving ends of the drain-pipes H. Thereafter, as the liquid is further depressed in the pipes G and E2, it overflows into the drainpipes H until the liquid has been depressed in the pipes E2 to the levels of the connections thereofl with the outlet legs -of the blowoff traps. At this time air escapes from the pipes E2 upwardlythrough the outlet legs of the blow-off traps, carrying with it some of the liquid theretofore contained in said outlet legs. The pressure in the -outlet legs of the blow-off traps is thus lowered below the pressure in the main siphons, whereupon the superior pressure of the main siphons forces the blow-off traps, carrying with it some `of the liquid from the blow-off traps and starting the main siphons in operation. During the emptying of the tank through the main siphons thus forced, the blow-off traps and the connected pipes E2 are filled with a suflicient quantity of liquid to afford the proper seal therefor in the subsequent .operation of one of the siphons, all of the parallel vertical pipes being filled to the same level. It will be noted that the intake legs Gof the blowolf traps are made of Such capacity as to constitute, in-effect, a reservoir which insures the diversion of sufhcient liquid thereto during the emptying operation of the main siphons to ll all of said pipes to the proper sealing levels. The outlet legs G1. of the blow-0H traps extend above its connection with the drain pipes H and above the maximum liquid level of the tank to furnish freeavenues of vescape for the air forced through the blow-off traps, although in some instances the released air may escape through the drain pipes H.

It is desirable in someinstances to temporarily cut on'e of the tank emptying siphons out of the operating series. This may be made desirable when, for instance, the apparatus is used in connection with a sewage pu- 4 rifying plant in order that one of the contact or filter beds upon which one of the siphons discharges may be put out of action for 'the purpose of resting or repairing the same, This result may be accomplished by the following construction. of the chamber-emptying siphons F is provided with .a normally open cut-off valve F1; andeach of said inlet legs of the siphons F is in communication with a horizontal pipe F2 that extends to the next adjacent chamber,`

relative to the order of operation of the siphons associated with said chambers. Said pipes are provided with down-turned ends that extend downwardly into said chambers. The pipes F2 constitute, when in service, extensions of the chamberemptying siphons. They are provided with cut-off valves F3 which are normally closed. The pipe F2 that connects the si hon F associated with siphon B3 and cham er D3 extends continuously fromone end of the series of chambers to the other. In order to cut out one of the tank emptying ,siphons from the operating series, the valve F1 of the chamber emptying Siphon belonging to thesiphon next to be brought into operation, and firstin rear of the siphon to be cut out, is closed and the normally closed valve F3 of the horizontal extension F2 of the latter chamber emptying Siphon is opened. In the subsequent operation of one of the tank emptying si hons, the liquid from the chamber normaliy associated with the Siphon to be cut out 4of service is emptied through the tank emptying Siphon in operation, and no liquid is drawn fromv the chamber normally associated with said operating tank emptying Siphon.` When the tank is The inlet leg of each.

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transmitting pipes E1 are located wholly above the floor of the tank so that it becomes possible to repair said si hons and pipes Without the necessity of isturbing the siphon settings or the concrete foundations in which they are embedded. This arrangement contributes, not only to the facility of elpairing said parts, but also to the ease in iich they may be originally installed in the apparatus. This feature of the construction becomes of considerable importance by rea-l emptying siphons may be made adjustableA in the general manner shown in my coepending application for United States Letters Patent Serial Number 337,961, filed October 8th, 1906, and they are herein shown as so constructed. As herein shown, referring more articularly to Fig. 5, the outlet leg of the blbw-off trap comprises a lower fixed member g and an upper extension member g1 which has sliding or telescopic connection with the fixed member, it being immaterial which member fits Within the other. So also the drain pipe H comprises a fixed lower member h and an upper elongation h1 that has sliding or telescopic connection with said lower stationary part. The said sliding extension members g1 and h1 are connected by a transverse connecting pipe g2 which moves with said adjustable members. Joints g3 h2 of any suitable nature such', for instance, as described in myv aforesaid application, are employed to produce water-tight connections between the sliding and stationary parts.

l claim as my invention 1. An apparatus for the purpose set forth comprising a tank, a plurality of trapped siphons operating alternately to empty said tank, blow-off traps communicating with the air spaces of said siphons abo ve their traps,

and means controlled by the rise of liquid inl said tank, operating in a predetermined order to transmit pressure to said blow-0H traps to start said siphons into operation.

2. An apparatus for the purpose set forth comprising a liquid tank, a plurality of trapped siphons operating alternately to empty said tank, blow-off traps located above the floor of the tank and communicating severally with the said siphons above their traps, and means controlled by the rise of liquid in the tank operating alternately to force said blow-off traps and start said siphons into operation.

3. An apparatus for the purpose set forth comprising a liquid tank, a plurality of trapped siphons o erating alternately to empty said tank, ciambers associated with said siphons, blow-off traps severally commimicating with the siphons above their traps, and means controlled by the presence of liquid in said chambers acting to transmit pressure alternately to said blow-off traps to orce the same and start the siphons into operation.

4. An apparatus for the purpose set forth comprising a liquid tank, a plurality of trapped siphons for emptying said tank, chambers associated with said siphons, blowoff traps severallycommunicating with the siphons above their traps, means controlled by the presence of liquid in said chambers acting to transmit pressure alternately to said blow-off traps to force the same and start the siphons into operation, and means operating during the operation of each siphon for emptying its associated chamber.

5.- An apparatus for the purpose set forth comprising' a liquid tank, a plurality of trapped siphons operating4 alternately to empty the tank, a blow-off trap for each siphon comprising two legs, one of which communicate's with the air space in the siphon and the other of which discharges into the atmosphere, and a pressure transmitting vpipe communicating with the latter leg of the blow-off trap.

6. An apparatus for the purpose set forth comprising a liquid tank, a plurality of trapped si phons operating alternately to empty-the tank, a blow-off trap for each siphon comprising a leg which extends upwardly into the intake leg of the siphon, and a vertical outer leg connected with said inner leg and discharging to the atmosphere, and a pressure transmitting pipe connected with said trap on the side of the outer leg remote from the inner leg.

7. An apparatus for the purpose set forth comprising a liquid tank, a plurality of trapped siphons operating alternately to em. ty said tank, a blow-off trap associated wit each siphon comprising an inner leg which extends upwardly into the intake leg of the siphon, and a vertical leg extending upwardly outside of said intake leg` of said si p on and connected with the first mentioned leg by a transverse portion and a pressure transmitting pipe connected with the outer leg near the lower end thereof, and disposed parallel with said legs of the trap. A

8. An apparatus for the purpose set forth comprising a liquid tank, a plurality of trapped siphons acting alternately to empty the tank, a series of chambers severally associated with said siphons and filled from the IOO ISO

' at a time to bring the same into operation,

and means for separately cutting each Siphon out of the operative series.

10. An apparatus for the purpose set forth comprising a plurality of tanks, a plurality of trapped siphons operating alternately to empty the tank, a series of chambers severally associated With said siphons and filled from the Source su plying liquid to the tank,-

means operating uring the illing of each chamber for transmitting-pressure to. the Siphon associated With another chamber of the Series` to Start said Siphon into operation, means for emptying each chamber through the operation of its associated Siphon., and means for separately cutting out each Siphon from the operating series.

11. An apparatus for the pur ose set forth comprising a tank or receptac e, a plurality of trapped siphons operatmg alternately to empty the tank, a seriesl of chambers severally associated With said siphons and iilled from the source supplying liquid to the tank, means operating during the filling of each chamber for transmittmg ressure to the Siphon associated With anot er chamber of the series to start said Siphon into operation, a chamber emptying Siphon connecting each chamber With its associated Siphon for emptying the contents of each chamber through the operation of its said associated Siphon, each chamber emptying Siphon being provided With an extension pipe dipping into another chamber of the series, and valves V`insaid chamber emptyingv siphons and the extension pipes thereof.

12. An apparatus for the purpose set forth, comprising a, tank, a plurality of trapped siphons, blow-off traps associated with Said siphons, means for operating said siphons in a predetermined rotative order for emptying the tank, and means for varying .the depth of seal of said blow-off traps.

18. An apparatus for the purpose set forth comprising a tank, a plurality of trapped siphons, b ow-oif trapsassociated With said siphons, each provided With a longitudinally adjustable outlet end, and ressure means o erating With said bloW-o traps to bring t e siphons into operation, constructed to operate said siphons in a predetermined rotative order.

14. An apparatus for the purpose set forth comprising a tank, trapped siphons operating alternately to empty the tank,'bloW-oii" traps associated With said siphons, means controlled by the rise of liquid in said tank, operating in a predetermined order to transmit pressure to said blow-off traps to start the siphons into operation, and means for varying the depth of seal of said blow-off tra s.

11h testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my invention I afhx my signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses, this 9th day of November A. vD. 1906.

SIDNEY W. MILLER.

Witnesses:

W. L. HALL, GEORGE R. WILKrNs. 

